2. Many towns have parades on Memorial Day. Why do they have these parades?

A. To remember Paul Revere’s ride

B. To celebrate the founding of the nation

C. To celebrate the end of the Civil War

D. To remember people who have died fighting for our country

Key

D

3. Treating people unfairly because of their sex, race, or religion is called

A. disability

B. discrimination

C. representation

D. equal rights

Key

B

4. In your town, all the emergency medical workers in the fire department are

men. There is a vacancy for an emergency medical worker and your friend’s

mother, Mrs. Reynolds, who is an experienced emergency medical worker,

would like to join the fire department. The fire chief has told her that only

men can be emergency medical workers in your town.

Write a letter to your local newspaper that explains why it is wrong for the

fire department NOT to hire your friend’s mother. In your letter, also give

ONE important reason why she should be hired.

Dear Editor:

The Fire Department doesn’t want to hire Mrs. Reynolds to be an emergency

medical worker because only men can be emergency medical workers in this

town. I think this is wrong because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Here is one important reason why Mrs. Reynolds should be hired:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I hope someone will do something to let Mrs. Reynolds have a job as an emergency

medical worker.

Sincerely,

Concerned Friend

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

Complete

Response gives a clear reason why it is wrong NOT to hire the friend’s mother, and response gives one reason why the fire department should hire her for the job.

Partial

Response gives one reason why it is wrong NOT to hire the friend’s mother

OR

response gives one reason why she should be hired.

Unacceptable

Response does not say why it is wrong for the department NOT to consider the friend’s mother, nor does it give any reason why the department should hire her.

The following question refers to the passage and the list below.

After a class discussion, Ms. Díaz asked her class to explain the meaning of

the word "responsibility" in a democracy. Students agreed that "responsibility"

is a duty or obligation to do something or not to do something. The class listed

responsibilities of citizenship. Here is their list:

5. Choose one responsibility of citizenship in a democracy from the list of

political responsibilities and fill in the oval next to it. Now tell why the

responsibility you chose is important.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

COMPLETE

The response correctly identifies a political responsibility and gives an appropriate reason for its importance (e.g., "People should pay taxes because it’s the law and the government needs money to run the country"). Reason may be expressed as an example of a broader idea (e.g., "Request laws and rules so people can stop the killing and shooting"; "otherwise there would be a lot of crime.")

PARTIAL

The response correctly identifies a political responsibility, but the reasons for its importance are somewhat off-target or vague (e.g., "People should respect laws and rules because they’re good for society," "society would be messed up," "there would be chaos," "it wouldn’t be fair"), or because they lack a community perspective (e.g., "People should pay taxes so they don’t go to jail").

UNACCEPTABLE

The response does not identify a political responsibility OR response identifies a political responsibility, but does not explain its importance.

6. What are the two main political parties in the United States?

A. Independents and Federalists

B. Democrats and Republicans

C. Conservatives and Liberals

D. Socialists and Populists

Key

B

7. Name two important jobs state governments do.

1)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

COMPLETE

Response offers two correct responsibilities of state government.

PARTIAL

Response offers one correct responsibility of state government; either there is not a second responsibility given or it is inaccurate.

UNACCEPTABLE

Response is incorrect (does not offer a correct responsibility of state government).

8. What is one of the basic purposes of government in the United States?

A. To protect the rights of individuals

B. To have fire drills in public buildings

C. To elect a new President every four years

D. To keep criminals in federal prisons

Key

A

The following question refers to the article below about the model United Nations General Assembly.

9. Which would be the best plan for the model United Nations General

Assembly to improve the world environment?

A. Feature different ethnic foods in the cafeteria next week

B. Plan a school lunch program in Chicago

C. Give food to refugees from war zones

D. Study the effect of acid rain on crops

Key

D

The following question refers to the article below about the model United Nations General Assembly.

10. Imagine that you are the head of the team from the United States. Your group

has chosen to write a plan saying that children all over the world should have

the right to learn to read and write.

Complete the form below so that the teams from other countries can discuss

the plan and vote on it.

MODEL UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Name of Plan: All Children in the World Should Have the Right

to Learn to Read and Write.

Country Writing

the Plan: The United States of America

Please give two reasons why your plan is important for the world.

1.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Describe one thing the United States can do to support the plan that

all children in the world should have the right to learn to read and write.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

COMPLETE

Response offers TWO valid reasons why the plan is important and one way for the United States to support the plan.

ACCEPTABLE

Response offers TWO valid reasons why the plan is important, but no way in which the United States could support the plan

OR

response offers ONE valid reason why the proposal is important AND one way for the United States to support the plan.

PARTIAL

Response offers ONE valid reason why the plan is important, but does not suggest a way in which the United States could support the plan

OR

the response offers a way the United States could support the plan but doesn’t give a reason why the plan is important.

UNACCEPTABLE

Response does not offer any valid reason why the plan is important (e.g., "reading and writing is hard") or a way the United States could support the plan or "get education."

The following question refers to the drawing below.

11. The man in the picture broke the law when he

A. bought the paint

B. painted the wall

C. threatened to paint every wall he could

D. bragged to his friends after spraying paint on the wall

Key

B

The following question refers to the drawing below.

12. If this man were caught by a police officer while spraying paint on City Hall,

he could be

A. charged with the crime of vandalism

B. immediately put in jail for two weeks

C. forced by the police to pay to clean the wall

D. forced to pay a fine before seeing a judge

Key

A

The following question refers to the drawing below.

13. If the man is charged with a crime, he needs a lawyer to

A. help choose a judge for a trial

B. be allowed into court

C. help protect his rights

D. pay for the prosecutor

Key

C

The following question refers to the drawing below.

14. If the man is taken to court and cannot afford a lawyer, the court will

A. set him free on parole

B. sell his property to pay for one

C. automatically send him to jail

D. appoint one for him free of charge

Key

D

The following question refers to the drawing below.

15. If you saw this man spraying paint on City Hall, it would be your civic duty to

A. tell an adult

B. help wash the paint off the building

C. keep quiet about it

D. chase the person and make a citizen’s arrest

Key

A

16. Which of the following would give the most complete information about

candidates and issues in elections?

A. Campaign posters

B. Television commercials

C. Newspaper articles about candidates

D. Newspaper advertisements for candidates

Key

C

17. Think about what you have learned about being a good citizen. Now read the list below. For each of the three actions, tell how it would affect other people in your community

1) Not returning library books

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2) Volunteering to help senior citizens with chores

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

3) Littering

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

COMPLETE

Response provides good links between three activities and impacts.

ACCEPTABLE

Response provides good links between two activities and impacts.

PARTIAL

Response provides good link between one activity and impacts.

UNACCEPTABLE

Response does not establish any tie between the three actions given in the premise and the consequences for other people.

18. Nations sometimes try to take what they need, even if it belongs to another

country. Sometimes they do this by starting a war. What is a better way for a

country to get what it needs?

A. Pretend it does not want it so the other country will sell it at a low price.

B. Make a treaty or an agreement with the other country for what it needs.

C. Ask the United Nations to force the other country to give it what it needs.

D. Ask the Supreme Court to decide what the other country should do.

Key

B

19. Why is it important for citizens of the United States to vote for a President?

A. To make sure that everyone gets a job

B. To make sure they are counted in the census

C. To help elect the person most people want

D. To show that people are obeying the law

Key

C

20. Which event is Rosa Parks associated with?

A. A protest against the Vietnam War

B. A speech in favor of religious tolerance

C. A demonstration in favor of women’s right to vote

D. A boycott of the buses in Montgomery, Alabama

Key

D

21. Which organization would most likely help an older person who needed

assistance at home?

A. A charity

B. A community business

C. A local school

D. A court

Key

A

The following question refers to the school dress rules below.

22. Imagine that next fall your school is going to require the school dress rules

given above. Is this a policy that would be good for all the students in your

school? Fill in the oval next to your answer.

Give two important reasons that explain your choice.

1)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

COMPLETE

Response offers two important reasons in support of the position taken vis-à-vis the dress code policy.

PARTIAL

Response offers one important reason that supports the position taken vis-à-vis the dress code policy.

UNACCEPTABLE

Response may answer whether the policy is good or not, but it gives no supporting reasons, an unimportant reason (e.g., "Uniforms are a good idea because most kids wear ugly clothes anyway," "My feet get too hot in closed shoes," "White shirts get too dirty"), or reasons that support the opposite position.

The following question refers to the school dress rules below.

23. The United States Supreme Court has not decided whether public schools can

make their students wear uniforms. State courts, however, have usually

defended the idea of dress codes.

Why would a court need to decide whether public schools can have dress

codes?

A. To find out if wearing uniforms improves student learning

B. To see that the rules are being followed by all students

C. To decide whether school dress codes are constitutional

D. To make sure uniforms do not cost more than regular clothes

Key

C

The following question refers to the school dress rules below.

24. Think about different ways people can get rules changed legally. What would

be the best first step to help get the dress code changed?

A. Get a group of student leaders to talk with the principal

B. Refuse to go to school if you have to wear a uniform

C. Insist on a dress code for teachers and administrators

D. Put all your clothes on backward as a sign of protest

Key

A

25. Give an example of one rule or law you think is important for your

community.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Explain why this rule or law is important for your community.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

COMPLETE

Response offers an important rule/law and clearly establishes its importance for the community.

PARTIAL

Response gives a rule/law, but does not establish its importance for the community OR the explanation is weak or vague.

UNACCEPTABLE

Response does not give an important rule/law or provide a reason for why it is important to the community. Unacceptable if lists responsibilities or lists rule or responsibility in school.

Imperial War Museum

26. The poster above tries to get people to help defend the United States by

A. telling them that the law says they must enlist in the army

B. showing another country attacking the United States

C. using patriotic symbols to get people to defend America

D. telling them that war is a good thing

Key

C

27. Which of the following is performed by volunteers in the United States?

A. Collecting taxes

B. Giving food to poor people

C. Delivering mail

D. Passing bills in the state legislature

Key

B

28. Peace treaties are usually signed by

A. cities

B. townships

C. states

D. countries

Key

D

29. Who decides whether a law follows the Constitution or not?

A. The secretary of state

B. The Supreme Court

C. The governor of a state

D. Individual citizens

Key

B

30. Which of the following leaders is elected to office?

A. A school principal

B. A general in the army

C. A chief of police

D. The President

Key

D

31. A fourth-grade class was given the opportunity to prepare its own lunch. Which would be the most democratic way for the class to decide on the menu for lunch?

A. The teacher could decide which foods to serve.

B. The students could make a list of their favorite foods and vote on what to serve.

C. The students with the best grades could choose which foods to serve.

D. The teacher could make a list of his or her favorite foods and let the class vote on what to serve.

Note: ALL levels of government services are acceptable (i.e., local, state, and national government services).

The following question is about taxes.

35. What is an important reason why some people in the United States might want to have taxes raised?

A. To help pay for education

B. To get people to vote in elections

C. To help businesses earn more money

D. To build more churches

Key

A

The following question is about taxes.

36. What is an important reason why many people in the United States might want to lower taxes?

A. To increase the size of the federal government

B. To help families save more money

C. To help the government pay off the national debt

D. To increase United States trade with other nations

Key

B

Question 7 refers to the cartoon below. The word apathy in the cartoon means "not caring."

37. What is the message of the cartoon?

A. Democracy could be in danger if people do not vote.

B. People like to get all of their political ideas from television.

C. People do not care whether they have the right to freedom of speech.

D. It is hard to be a candidate for President.

Key

A

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

38. What does the sentence "I pledge allegiance to the flag" mean?

A. I promise to be loyal to the ideals of the United States.

B. I promise to salute the flag when I see it in parades.

C. I promise to join the army of the United States.

D. I promise to like all the laws of the United States.

Key

A

39. A student notices that the playing fields at her school have become littered with trash. How could she best show her civic responsibility?

A. Complain to her friends that no one at the school cares about the way it looks.

B. Ignore the mess and take her friends to play in an area that is still clean.

C. Organize local scout troops to clean up the playing fields.

D. Call the police to report that the school’s fields are dirty.

Key

C

The following question is about the paragraphs below.

In Ms. Tanaka’s fourth-grade class, students must decide which one of three books will be read aloud. Ms. Tanaka agreed to let the students decide whether they will all read Green Fields, The Lion That Saved My Life, or The Wanderers. She told them it is up to them to choose, but they must do so in a fair and democratic way.

Of the 25 students in Ms. Tanaka’s class, three—Wanda, Marcello, and Ellis—have already read Green Fields. Both Ellis and Wanda have also read The Lion That Saved My Life. No one in the class has read The Wanderers.

40. What would be the most democratic way of selecting a book to read aloud in class?

The most democratic way to select a book would be

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Why would this be the most democratic way?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

Complete

Response provides a democratic way of coming to a decision and gives a valid justification for why this is a democratic process (e.g., "The class should vote and the book with the most votes is selected"; "It’s democratic because everyone has a say" or "It is fair because everyone has a pick"; "The class selects Wanda, Marcello, etc., as their representative and that person makes the decision"; "The class has an open debate and then votes on the book and the book with the most votes is selected"). Has to explain "fair" for a 3.

Partial

Response provides a democratic way of coming to a decision, but does not justify why it is democratic (e.g., "The class should vote") or justification is vague or inappropriate (e.g., "The class should vote because that’s the easiest"; "Pick the book you want to read because everyone gets what they want"; "It is fair").

OR

response does not clearly describe the democratic way of coming to a decision, but does provide a justification.

Unacceptable

Response suggests an undemocratic, impractical, or illogical way to select a book and does not explain why the suggestions might be considered democratic (e.g., "The people who like to read best should decide").

The following question is about the paragraphs below.

In Ms. Tanaka’s fourth-grade class, students must decide which one of three books will be read aloud. Ms. Tanaka agreed to let the students decide whether they will all read Green Fields, The Lion That Saved My Life, or The Wanderers. She told them it is up to them to choose, but they must do so in a fair and democratic way.

Of the 25 students in Ms. Tanaka’s class, three—Wanda, Marcello, and Ellis—have already read Green Fields. Both Ellis and Wanda have also read The Lion That Saved My Life. No one in the class has read The Wanderers.

41. Frankie suggests the following method for picking a book.

Three large jars will each be labeled with the title of one of the three books. People who want to vote for a book can do so by putting a nickel into the jar that has that book’s title on it. Students may vote as often as they like, but they must put a nickel into the jar each time. All the money collected will be used for a class party.

Is this a democratic method of deciding? Why or why not?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

Complete

The response explains that the method is unfair because not everyone has equal ability to vote; it favors those who have more nickels/more money. (People with more money can vote more often and therefore their votes count more, which is unfair.)

OR

Response explains that the method is unfair simply because it allows people to vote more than once.

Partial

The response questions the fairness of the method and provides a weak/vague explanation (e.g., "unfair because people don’t want to pay").

Unacceptable

The response does not make it clear that Frankie’s method of deciding is unfair.

OR

The response indicates that Frankie’s method is fair.

OR

The response indicates that Frankie’s method is unfair, but fails to explain why.

42. The statue shown above is a symbol of

A. power

B. equality

C. intelligence

D. liberty

Key

D

43. What are the three parts of the federal (national) government of the United States?

A. Republican, Democrat, and Independent

B. Legislative, executive, and judicial

C. Local, state, and federal

D. State, national, and international

Key

B

44. Who has the right to vote in the United States?

A. Citizens of other countries who are visiting the United States

B. Everybody in the United States who reads English

C. Everyone who has taken a course in United States government

D. Citizens of the United States who are at least 18 years old

Key

D

45. The purpose of the United Nations is to

A. give money to governments to explore outer space

B. help countries to develop nuclear bombs

C. promote international peace and security

D. sponsor international events like the Olympic Games

Key

C

The following question is about rules and laws at a movie theater.

Ben and his family want to go to the movies, but when they get there they are told that the seats are all sold out. Ben says he doesn’t care if he has to sit on the floor, but his mother shows him this sign on the movie theater wall:

46. Why does the fire inspector limit the number of people who are allowed in a movie theater at one time?

A. To help the theater make the right amount of money

B. To protect the safety of the people in the theater

C. To make sure everyone can see the movie

D. To make sure one movie theater does not get all the business

Key

B

The following question is about rules and laws at a movie theater.

Ben sees another sign on the door of the movie theater. It says:

47. Is this an example of a rule or a law? Fill in the oval of your answer below and tell your reasons for choosing the answer you did.

RULE LAW

I chose that answer because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

Complete

"Rule" is marked and response shows an understanding that (governments) legislatures make laws, while here the theater owner or manager simply decided not to allow food or drinks in the theater.

Acceptable

"Rule" is marked and response explains that the rule is specific only to this theater, OR this is not the case at other theaters, OR that laws must be obeyed by everyone.

Partial

"Rule" is marked, but explanation is weak (e.g., "A law is more serious,") or not present.

Unacceptable

"Law" is marked.

The following question is about rules and laws at a movie theater.

48. What is the reason that food and drinks may not be brought into the theater even though you may buy them inside?

A. It is not fair if you have your favorite candy and do not want to share it.

B. The theater has food that moviegoers enjoy.

C. The owners of the theater want you to buy the food they sell inside.

D. Your food has not been checked by the health department.

Key

C

The following question is about rules and laws at a movie theater.

49. Imagine that you are the owner of the movie theater.

Think of one other rule or law that would be important to make sure that everyone can come and enjoy movies at your theater. Then explain why you would want that rule or law.

My rule or law is

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

I want the rule or law because

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

Complete

Response gives a valid rule/law and a reasonable and complete explanation.

Acceptable

Response gives a valid rule/law and a weak or incomplete explanation from a moviegoer’s point of view.

Partial

Response gives a valid rule/law, but the explanation doesn’t fit the rule given.

OR

Response gives a rule not relevant to people enjoying a movie.

Unacceptable

Response gives no valid rule/law or explanation.

Credited responses could include:

– No running in the aisles; runner might knock people down.

– No smoking in theater; it might start a fire;

– No pushing or crowding or violence; people might get hurt.

– No blocking the aisles; people might not be able to get out if there were a fire.

– No talking during the movie; it might disturb others.

– No weapons allowed; don’t want anybody to get hurt.

50. "They work together to keep peace in the world" means that the representatives to the United Nations

A. help people around the world learn new jobs

B. find ways for all nations to do things the way we do

C. make all of the laws in the world the same

D. talk to each other to try to solve problems without fighting

Key

D

The following question is about citizenship.

51. What are both citizens and noncitizens legally entitled to in the United States?

A. To run for public office

B. To have a United States passport

C. To have the protection of our laws

D. To vote in primary elections

Key

C

The following question is about citizenship.

52. John is a citizen of the United States. Maria and Karl have been living here with their uncle as legal residents, but they are not citizens. What is something that John, Maria, and Karl can all do?

A. Own property

B. Be elected to public office

C. Vote in elections

D. Be in the army

Key

A

The following question is about citizenship.

53. One way a person can become a United States citizen is by

A. buying a lot of property in the United States

B. visiting the United States many times as a tourist

C. opening a business in the United States with someone who is already a citizen

D. living legally in the United States for five years and passing a special test

Key

D

54. Think about what you have learned about being a good citizen. Now look carefully at the cartoon above.

What is the message of this cartoon? Be specific.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

Complete

Response makes the point that although citizens do have the right to free speech, that right is not unlimited (e.g., "Painting graffiti on a school building is against the law even though people have free speech"). Students may also refer to the responsibility of citizens to obey laws (e.g., "Being a good citizen means having rights like free speech, but also having responsibilities and you shouldn’t paint on a school").

Partial

Response demonstrates some understanding of the cartoon, but is vague, incomplete, or weak (e.g., "Graffiti is breaking the law").

Unacceptable

Response does not demonstrate any understanding of the cartoon.

55. In the United States, people who are arrested have the right to

A. stay in a private cell

B. choose a judge

C. talk to a lawyer

D. refuse to wear handcuffs

Key

C

56. Which of the following is the most important reason why the United States trades with other countries?

A. People get a chance to travel.

B. It helps people get the things they need.

C. It helps us learn about other cultures.

D. We can learn other languages.

Key

B

57. Scott wants to be a police officer when he grows up. He says the police get to wear fancy uniforms with badges, use handcuffs, and drive cars as fast as they want. What is wrong with Scott’s ideas about why he wants to be a police officer?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Think about the things police officers do in their work. What are two good reasons to be a police officer?

1.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2.

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Scoring Guide

Score & Description

Complete

Response gives a valid explanation of the flaws in Scott’s ideas about police officers and offers two important things that police officers do.

Acceptable

Response identifies what is wrong with Scott’s ideas about being a police officer and offers one good reason for being a police officer.

OR

Response does not identify what is wrong with Scott’s ideas, but offers two good reasons for being a police officer.

Partial

Response offers one good reason for being a police officer but no explanation of the problems with Scott’s ideas.

OR

Response identifies correctly what is wrong with Scott’s ideas, but offers NO good reasons for being a police officer.

Unacceptable

Response does not recognize that Scott’s reasons are superficial or untrue. The response does not give good reasons (or gives superficial reasons) for being a police officer.

Credited responses could include:

An explanation of what is wrong with Scott’s ideas about being a police officer:

– "Needs to think about what could happen" (vague, but hints at the fallacy of Scott’s ideas).

– Scott doesn’t understand the job of police officers. He is just thinking of the fun things. Police officers have many responsibilities and their work can be dangerous.

– Scott wasn’t thinking about what it’s really like to be a police officer. Scott thought it would be okay to break the law by speeding if you’re a police officer, but it isn’t okay for anyone to do that. Police officers have to obey the laws and keep other people from breaking them.